The Extra's Rise-Chapter 770: Elara’s Heart

When Arthur requested a private meeting with me, using the kind of formal language that suggested serious matters rather than casual conversation, I found myself both curious and slightly apprehensive. Our interactions had always been pleasant and intellectually stimulating, but there was something in his expression during the request that hinted at depths I hadn’t previously glimpsed.

The Astoria estate’s private study was one of my favorite rooms—filled with books, comfortable seating, and the kind of peaceful atmosphere that encouraged honest conversation. As I waited for Arthur’s arrival, I found myself wondering what could be so important that it required such formal privacy. Perhaps he wanted to discuss collaboration on some of the social reform ideas we had explored during our various conversations?

"Lady Elara," Arthur said as he entered the study, his expression carrying an unusual combination of determination and what might have been concern. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. What I need to discuss with you is... complex, and I hope you’ll bear with me as I explain."

"Of course," I replied, gesturing for him to take a seat across from me. "I’m always interested in complex discussions, particularly when they involve someone whose perspectives I’ve come to value so highly."

Arthur settled into his chair with obvious tension, as if he was preparing to undertake something difficult but necessary. "Elara, before I begin, I need you to promise me that you’ll listen to everything I have to say before making any judgments. What I’m about to tell you will sound impossible, but I assure you that every word is true."

The seriousness in his voice made something flutter nervously in my chest. Arthur had always been straightforward in our conversations, never given to dramatic exaggeration or mysterious pronouncements. If he was asking for such a promise, whatever he intended to share must be genuinely extraordinary.

"I promise," I said simply, meaning it completely.

"What I’m about to show you," Arthur continued, "is something that very few people in the world know exists. It’s the source of knowledge that most would consider impossible for any human to possess."

He closed his eyes for a moment, and then something remarkable happened. The air beside him began to shimmer with a soft, golden light, and slowly, a small figure materialized—a creature that took my breath away with its ethereal beauty.

She appeared to be a child, but there was something ageless in her amethyst eyes that spoke of wisdom accumulated over centuries or perhaps millennia. Her hair sparkled with contained starlight, and there was an aura of power around her that made my magical senses resonate with recognition and awe.

"Elara," Arthur said quietly, "I’d like you to meet Luna. She’s a qilin—the one who bonded with Emperor Julius Slatemark a thousand years ago."

My academic knowledge immediately provided context that made my eyes widen with shock. Qilins were legendary beings, creatures of such power and wisdom that they were considered myths by most scholars. Especially Luna, the one bonded with Founder Emperor Julius Slatemark.

"Hello, Elara," Luna said, her voice carrying the musical quality that all the ancient texts attributed to qilin speech. "Arthur has told me much about you. Your wisdom and compassion are exactly what he described."

I found myself staring in fascination, my mind racing through the implications of what I was seeing. If this was truly a qilin—and every instinct I possessed confirmed that it was—then Arthur’s access to impossible knowledge suddenly made sense.

"Qilins," I said slowly, working through my understanding, "are said to possess the ability to perceive the flow of fate across time. They can see possible futures and understand the consequences of present actions."

"Very good," Luna replied with obvious approval.

Arthur leaned forward, his expression serious. "Elara, what I’m about to tell you comes from Luna’s ability to perceive potential futures. She’s shown me what will happen if current events are allowed to proceed without intervention."

"What kind of intervention?" I asked, though something in his tone made me suspect I wouldn’t like the answer.

"The potential engagement between you and Prince Valerian," Arthur said directly, "will lead to tragedy if it’s allowed to proceed. Not just personal tragedy, but civil war that could destroy the Empire."

The words hit me like a physical blow. I had known that my potential marriage to Valerian carried political implications, but the idea that it could lead to war seemed impossible to comprehend.

"I don’t understand," I said weakly. "How could a marriage lead to civil war?"

Arthur’s expression grew grim. "Because Prince Valerian’s true nature is very different from his public persona. In private, he’s psychologically abusive, controlling, and eventually violent. Over time, that abuse would break your spirit completely. You would... you would take your own life to escape what your existence had become."

The casual way he delivered such a horrific prediction made me feel dizzy with shock. The idea that anyone could predict my suicide as if it was an inevitable fact was both terrifying and deeply disturbing.

"That’s impossible," I whispered, though even as I spoke, I wasn’t sure.

"Your father would be devastated by your death," Arthur continued relentlessly. "He would investigate and discover evidence of Valerian’s abuse. The confrontation between Archduke Leopold and the Imperial Family would fracture the Empire’s unity, creating the conditions for civil war at exactly the moment when external threats require absolute solidarity."

Luna’s voice added weight to Arthur’s words. "The patterns are clear to those who can perceive them. Without intervention, the timeline leads to destruction for many, many people."

I sat in stunned silence, trying to process information that challenged everything I thought I understood about my life and future. The idea that my personal choices could have such far-reaching consequences was overwhelming, but the presence of Luna made it impossible to dismiss as fantasy or exaggeration.

"What kind of intervention?" I asked finally, though I suspected I already knew.

"I’m proposing that you agree to an engagement with me instead," Arthur said simply. "Not because I’m trying to manipulate you for personal gain, but because it’s the most effective way to prevent the tragic timeline from unfolding."

The proposal was so straightforward that it took me a moment to fully comprehend what he was suggesting. "You want me to agree to marry you to prevent a civil war?"

"I want you to agree to an engagement that would protect you from Valerian’s abuse while also protecting the Empire from the consequences of that abuse," Arthur corrected gently. "What our relationship becomes beyond that strategic necessity is something we can determine together, without pressure or predetermined expectations."

I found myself studying his face, looking for any hint of deception or manipulation. But all I could see was genuine concern and what appeared to be complete honesty about his motivations.

"Arthur," I said carefully, "you mentioned your... unique romantic situation. Five girlfriends who all know about each other and somehow manage to maintain harmonious relationships. Are you saying they would be comfortable with adding me to that arrangement?"

"I’ve discussed this situation with all of them," Arthur replied. "They understand the stakes involved, and they support the intervention completely. Not because they want to share me with another woman, but because they recognize that preventing civil war is more important than personal convenience."

The idea that five remarkable women had discussed my potential inclusion in their unconventional arrangement and agreed to support it was both touching and slightly overwhelming. It suggested a level of sophistication and selflessness that challenged many of my assumptions about human nature.

"They must be extraordinary people," I said softly.

"They are," Arthur agreed with obvious affection. "And I believe they would come to value you for the same reasons I do—your intelligence, your compassion, and your potential to make the world better."

I sat quietly for several minutes, trying to process everything I had learned. The revelation about Luna’s nature, the predictions about my potential future with Valerian, and Arthur’s proposal all swirled together in my mind as I struggled to understand what choice I was really being offered.

"Arthur," I said finally, "if I agree to this engagement, what would you expect from me? What would our relationship actually involve?"

"Honesty," Arthur replied without hesitation. "Mutual respect. The freedom to develop whatever feelings might emerge naturally, without pressure or artificial expectations. And most importantly, the knowledge that you’re safe from harm and free to pursue your own goals and interests."

The simplicity and sincerity of his answer made something warm unfurl in my chest. This wasn’t a man trying to acquire a political asset or claim a romantic prize. This was someone offering to protect me while expecting nothing in return except the opportunity to prevent a tragedy.

"And if I choose not to agree?" I asked, needing to understand all my options.

"Then I’ll respect your decision completely," Arthur said with conviction that I believed absolutely. "But I’ll also continue trying to find other ways to prevent the tragic timeline, because the consequences are too severe to ignore."

Looking at this remarkable man who had revealed impossible truths to protect me from dangers I hadn’t even known existed, I found myself making a decision that felt both terrifying and strangely right.

"I agree," I said quietly. "Not just because I want to prevent civil war, though that’s certainly important. But because you’ve treated me with more honesty and respect than anyone else in my life. If you’re willing to protect me while asking for nothing in return, then yes—I’ll accept your proposal."

The relief in Arthur’s expression was immediate and genuine, making me realize how much he had been hoping for this outcome. "Thank you, Elara. I promise you won’t regret this decision."

As Luna smiled at both of us with obvious approval, I felt the strange combination of fear and anticipation that came with stepping into an unknown future. Whatever complications lay ahead, at least I would be facing them with someone who valued my safety and happiness above his own convenience.

For the first time in months, I felt genuinely hopeful about what my life might become.

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